Entertainment

Netflix & Person Whose Phone Number is Used in Squid Game Are Now In Loggerheads

2021-09-28 , 11:25 am

So lest you’re unaware, Squid Game‘s all the rage right now.

Essentially a survival-themed series with a lot more genres than the norm, Squid Game has enraptured audiences worldwide with its motley cast of characters.

In fact, the drama proved so popular with the crowd that it actually took the number 1 spot in the U.S. Netflix “Top 10 in U.S. today” list.

As a Wise Old Man once said: “Hip hip hurrah.”

But here’s the thing. Though 99.999% of the “judging panel” may be appeased by the show…

One particular 0.001%, or rather one single individual, has had her life upended instead.

Netflix & Person Whose Phone Number is Used in Squid Game Are Now In Loggerheads

So if you’ve finished the show, you would surely be familiar with a particular business card that has a number on it.

Well, the situation kind of escalated after that, but here are the few main points you need to be aware of:

The number can still be called
The owner of the number was subsequently bombarded with messages and calls
The relevant authorities had to step in

But there was kind of a hiccup along the way.

Apparently, Netflix told the female “victim” that she would have to change her number to circumvent the issue.

Note: The gender of the owner’s number was previously assumed to be a male. This has since been debunked.

A one million won compensation fee (S$1,150) was also tabled in the process.

But here’s the thing; the number wasn’t just used for personal purposes.

Apart from being a number she has used for 20 years, it was also the number pertaining to her small business.

So long story short? It’s not as easy as just changing your number. Though one can’t help but imagine a reality where customers phone in, not for goods and services, but to apply to be a contestant on a death-themed game.

Improved Offer

As a result of this unexpected twist in events, Netflix faced some backlash for its initial decision.

Perhaps keen to rectify its image, the streaming service put a five million won (S$5,740) offer on the table as well.

At current moment, the affiliated parties are reportedly still working out a common solution, through phone calls and face-to-face meetings.

Meanwhile, Korean presidential candidate Huh Kyung Young has joined in the “party”, offering 100 million won (S$114,830) for the bombarded number.

Known for his tactics for presidential races, Huh had previously channeled themes from historical dramas to appeal to the public.

More Context

Apparently, though there were only eight-digit numbers stated on the card, the production team made the mistake of removing the first three numbers only.

Lest you’re unaware, the first three digits refer to a city’s area code.

As such, the rest of the numbers are entirely legit, and you will still get connected if you dial those digits.

And so, rather unfortunately, that meant utter distress for the number’s owner.

Since the show’s premiere on Netflix on 17 September 2021, the owner of the number has received an endless influx of calls and text messages.

In fact, it has gotten to a point where her daily life has been affected.

According to her, she has had to delete over 4,000 numbers from her phone after the slip-up. Callers would reach out to her on a 24/7 basis, whether it’s day or night.

The calls also drained her phone battery, causing her phone to turn off.

“We are aware of the issue and are working towards solving the problem,” Netflix and Siren Pictures, the production house of Squid Game, said at the time.

Netflix & Person Whose Phone Number is Used in Squid Game Are Now In Loggerheads

Netflix & Person Whose Phone Number is Used in Squid Game Are Now In Loggerheads

Improved Offer

More Context

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